Operation Safe Lot

Police News

The 4th of July season is upon us and public safety officials caution the general population against the dangers of fireworks. Each year nationwide, on average, there are 10,000 injuries, 3 deaths and 25,000 fires due to the use of illegal fireworks. Don't become a statistic!

The only personal-use fireworks permitted by law in Connecticut are sparklers and fountains.

Jose Santos Pedraza, (02/25/51 Hispanic Male, 5'-9" 195lbs, Brown Eyes) is wanted by the Hartford Police Department Special Investigations Division - Sex Offender Registry Unit for the attempted sexual assault of a young child. Jose Pedraza lured this child to his apartment, and once inside attempted to sexually assault him. Jose Pedraza is already on the sex offender registry for similar past offenses. His current whereabouts are unknown as he fled immediately after this incident. The child's age is 5-10* years old.*Vague To protect the child's identity

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 4:30pm Hartford Police Department Patrol Officers and Shooting Task Force Detectives responded to the basketball court at 260 Holcomb Street after several 911 calls for shots fired. Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene with numerous individuals fleeing from the basketball court area of the school. A basketball tournament was being held at this location with hundreds of people attending. Officers located a male victim (Identified as James Headen, 41 of Hartford) suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital via ambulance. As this was occurring, three other victims arrived separately at St. Francis by private vehicles. These three victims were each suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. At 10:49pm James Headen was pronounced deceased.

Victims:James Headen, 41 of Hartford, was shot in the head. (Pronounced deceased at 10:49pm)Justin Jones, 23 of Hartford, was shot in the hip/groin. (Stable, admitted, non-life threatening)Shawn Patterson, 24 of Hartford, was shot in the hand. (Treated and released)Roosevelt Holmes, 23 of Windsor, was shot in the calf/ankle area. (Treated and released, taken into police custody)

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Division began the investigation. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that a basketball tournament was taking place at a basketball court adjacent to the Rawson School when the shooting occurred. Major Crimes Detectives, STF Detectives and patrol officers all received information that Roosevelt Holmes a.k.a. "Roe" became involved in a dispute while the tournament was taking place. (It is, at this time, unclear who this dispute was with, but it does not appear that it was with any of the other victims) Holmes was not a participant in the tournament. The dispute escalated and numerous shots were fired. This is when James Headen, who by all accounts was an innocent bystander, was struck in the head. This is also when the other 3 victims were struck by gun fire.

At St. Francis, Patrol Officers detained the transporting vehicles and drivers. Evidence, to include at least one firearm believed to be involved in this incident, was secured. This firearm was found in the vehicle which delivered Roosevelt Holmes to the Hospital. Upon release from the hospital, Holmes was taken to the HPD Major Crimes for interview. Following the interview he was placed under arrest and charged, held on a $1,000,000 bond. Holmes , a convicted felon, could potentially face further charges.Charges:1. Criminal Possession of a Firearm2. Criminal Attempt/Assault First Degree3. Reckless Endangerment First Degree4. Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm

This investigation is ongoing. We are asking for any witnesses to please reach out to the Hartford Police Department. We believe that video evidence exists to this event. We are asking for any assistance in obtaining this video. Anonymous sources can contact HPD anonymously at our website using the anonymous tip link. The Major Crimes Division is continuing to investigate this homicide and the investigation is progressing.